How far is Monmouth, IL from Des Plaines, IL?
The driving distance from Monmouth, IL to Des Plaines, IL is about 211.6 miles (340.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.7 miles (261.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 19m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Lee County, Illinois, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Monmouth and Des Plaines.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monmouth and Des Plaines.
-
1
Start on South 1st Street
65 m · 15 sec · South 1st Street
-
2
Turn left onto East Broadway
89 m · 8 sec · East Broadway
-
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Public Square
5 m · 1 sec · North Main Street
-
4
Exit the rotary onto North Main Street
1.4 km · 2 min · North Main Street
-
5
Take the ramp slight right
84 m · 8 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
18.9 mi · 22 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
7
Keep slight right to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
31.9 mi · 35 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Chicago-Kansas City Expressway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 2 hr 29 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
4.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward I 294 North, I 290 West: Milwaukee, Rockford
3128 ft · 1 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 294 Toll North: O'Hare International Airport, Milwaukee
1156 ft · 28 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
9.9 mi · 13 min · Tri-State Tollway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward Touhy Avenue
635 ft · 16 sec
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue
2694 ft · 1 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on Touhy Avenue West
688 ft · 17 sec
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on Touhy Avenue West
1799 ft · 44 sec
-
18
Turn straight onto East Touhy Avenue
99 m · 7 sec · East Touhy Avenue
-
19
Turn slight right
103 m · 9 sec
-
20
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Des Plaines River Road
-
21
Turn left onto Henry Avenue
557 ft · 24 sec · Henry Avenue
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Henry Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Monmouth and Des Plaines.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 88 East
Take the exit slight right toward I 88 East, IL 92 East: Sterling, Rock Falls
135 mi · 02h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy leaving Monmouth and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Monmouth to Des Plaines?
The road trip is about 211.6 miles (340.5 km) and usually takes 03h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Nelson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 105.8 miles from Monmouth and 105.8 miles from Des Plaines.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.7 miles (261.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.17 one way or $56.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy around Monmouth and Mostly Sunny near Des Plaines.
Stop Ideas Near Nelson
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Nelson.
Princeton
Mendota station
Kewanee
Rockford, Illinois
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Monmouth and Des Plaines. Straight-line distance: 162.72 mi (261.88 km).
#1 Monmouth
City in Warren County, Illinois, United States
| Population | 8,801 |
| Coordinates | 40.9114300, -90.6473600 |
| Altitude | 232 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Des Plaines
The most populous city in Cook County, Illinois.
| Population | 58,179 |
| Coordinates | 42.0333600, -87.8834000 |
| Altitude | 193 |
| Country | United States |
End: Henry Avenue (-87.883408, 42.033456)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 340 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.17 | $56.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.77 | $69.53 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.62 | $79.24 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.